Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 6, 2026

climatecontour (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Site”) is a website that provides information and visualizations relating to climate, the atmosphere, oceans, and other areas of Earth science.

We respect the privacy of our users and handle personal information and personal data in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws.

This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, shared, and otherwise processed when users access or use the Site from Japan or any other country or region.

Where applicable laws provide stronger protections or additional rights than those described in this Privacy Policy, those laws shall apply.

1. Operator and Data Controller

The following operator is responsible for the handling of personal information and personal data in connection with the Site.

Website: climatecontour

Contact:

Where required by applicable law, additional contact information will be provided.

2. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected or processed through the Site.

External websites, third-party services, external data providers, and other services outside our control are governed by the privacy policies and terms established by their respective operators.

3. Information We Collect

Depending on how users access and use the Site, we may collect the following categories of information.

3.1 Access and Technical Information

When users access the Site, our web servers and related systems may automatically record information such as:

• IP address
• Date and time of access
• Requested URL
• HTTP status information
• Referring URL
• User-Agent information
• Browser type and version
• Operating system information
• Other technical information relating to access to the Site

We may use this information to operate the Site, investigate technical problems, detect unauthorized access, and maintain security.

3.2 Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Site may use cookies, local storage, and other similar technologies.

These technologies may be used for purposes including:

• providing essential website functionality;
• storing user preferences;
• measuring website usage;
• improving the Site; and
• maintaining security.

Where consent is required by applicable law, non-essential cookies and similar technologies will generally be used only after the user has provided consent.

3.3 Analytics Information

Where users have consented to analytics, we may collect information concerning use of the Site, including:

• page views;
• sessions;
• browser and device information;
• approximate geographic information; and
• interactions with the Site.

3.4 Information Submitted Through Contact Forms

When users contact us through a contact form or other communication method, we may collect:

• name or display name;
• email address;
• organization or affiliation, where voluntarily provided;
• the content of the inquiry;
• date and time of the inquiry; and
• technical information necessary to prevent spam or abuse.

Users should not submit confidential information or sensitive personal data unless it is necessary for the inquiry.

4. Purposes of Processing

We may process collected information for the following purposes:

• providing, operating, and maintaining the Site;
• understanding how the Site is used;
• improving content, usability, and user experience;
• investigating and resolving technical problems;
• detecting and preventing unauthorized access, spam, bots, and other misuse;
• protecting the security and integrity of the Site;
• responding to inquiries and communications;
• complying with legal obligations; and
• establishing, exercising, or defending legal claims.

We do not intentionally process personal information or personal data for purposes that are incompatible with those described above in violation of applicable law.

5. Legal Bases for Processing

Where applicable law requires a legal basis for processing personal data, including in the European Economic Area (“EEA”), the United Kingdom, and similar jurisdictions, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases depending on the circumstances.

Consent

Where required, we process certain information, including analytics data, based on the user’s consent.

Users may withdraw their consent at any time with effect for the future.

Legitimate Interests

We may process personal data where necessary for our legitimate interests, provided that such interests are not overridden by the rights and interests of users.

Such interests may include:

• securely operating the Site;
• protecting servers and networks;
• preventing abuse and malicious activity; and
• investigating technical failures.

Performance of a Contract or Steps at the User’s Request

Where necessary to respond to a user’s request or inquiry, we may process personal data to take steps requested by the user.

Compliance with Legal Obligations

We may process personal data where necessary to comply with applicable laws, court orders, regulatory requirements, or requests from competent public authorities.

6. Cookies and Consent Management

The Site may classify cookies and similar technologies into categories such as the following.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for essential website functionality, security, or storing privacy and cookie preferences.

Analytics Cookies

These cookies are used to understand how users interact with the Site and to improve the Site.

Where applicable law requires consent, non-essential cookies will not be activated until the user has provided consent.

Users may be able to change their preferences at any time using the cookie settings provided on the Site.

Users may also delete or block cookies through their browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may prevent some parts of the Site from functioning correctly.

7. Google Analytics

The Site may use Google Analytics 4, an analytics service provided by Google LLC, to understand how users interact with the Site and to improve content and user experience.

Google Analytics may process information including:

• page views;
• device and browser information;
• referral information;
• interactions with the Site; and
• other usage information.

Where required by applicable law, Google Analytics will be activated only after the user has provided the necessary consent.

We configure data retention settings in Google Analytics with the intention of limiting retention to what is reasonably necessary.

We do not intentionally transmit names, email addresses, or other information that Google identifies as directly personally identifiable information to Google Analytics.

The processing of information by Google is also subject to Google’s applicable privacy and data protection terms.

8. reCAPTCHA and Other Security Services

The Site may use reCAPTCHA or similar security services provided by Google LLC or other providers to protect the Site against:

• spam;
• bots;
• automated abuse;
• unauthorized access; and
• other security threats.

These services may process technical information such as:

• IP address;
• browser information;
• device information;
• network information; and
• usage information.

We use such services only to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the Site and legitimate users.

9. Disclosure and Service Providers

We do not sell personal information simply for monetary consideration.

We may disclose or allow processing of personal information or personal data in the following circumstances:

• where necessary for hosting, analytics, security, spam prevention, or other operational services;
• where required by law;
• where necessary to protect the life, health, property, or other important interests of a person;
• where necessary to establish, exercise, or defend legal rights; or
• where the user has provided valid consent.

Where service providers process personal data on our behalf, we take measures required by applicable law, including contractual measures where appropriate.

10. Sale and Sharing of Personal Information

The Site is not currently operated for the purpose of selling users’ personal information for monetary consideration.

The Site is also not primarily intended to track users for cross-context behavioral advertising or similar personalized advertising purposes.

If we introduce advertising services or materially change the way personal information is used, we will review and update this Privacy Policy, cookie settings, and other applicable privacy controls before implementing such changes where required.

11. International Data Transfers

The Site may be operated from Japan and may use global service providers, including Google and other international providers.

As a result, users’ information may be processed or stored in countries or regions outside the jurisdiction in which the user resides.

Where applicable law imposes requirements on international transfers of personal data, appropriate safeguards may be used, including:

• adequacy decisions;
• standard contractual clauses; or
• other lawful transfer mechanisms recognized under applicable law.

12. Data Retention

We generally retain personal information and personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which the information was collected.

Server access logs may be retained for a period reasonably necessary for:

• security monitoring;
• incident investigation; and
• technical troubleshooting.

Information relating to inquiries may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• respond to the inquiry;
• provide follow-up support;
• prevent disputes; and
• comply with legal obligations.

Google Analytics data is retained in accordance with the data retention settings configured for our Google Analytics property.

We may retain information for a longer period where required by law or where reasonably necessary to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

13. User Rights

Depending on the user’s location and applicable law, users may have rights concerning their personal information or personal data.

These rights may include the right to:

• request access to personal data;
• request correction of inaccurate data;
• request deletion of personal data;
• request restriction of processing;
• object to certain processing;
• request data portability;
• withdraw consent; and
• lodge a complaint with a competent data protection authority.

Where the Act on the Protection of Personal Information of Japan or other applicable Japanese law grants rights of disclosure, correction, suspension of use, deletion, or similar rights, we will respond as required by applicable law.

Where applicable U.S. state privacy laws apply, including laws in California, users may have additional rights, such as the right to:

• know what personal information is collected;
• request deletion;
• request correction;
• opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information;
• limit certain uses of sensitive personal information; and
• exercise privacy rights without unlawful discrimination.

Requests concerning privacy rights may be submitted through:

[URL of contact page]

We may request reasonable verification of identity where necessary to prevent fraudulent or unauthorized requests.

14. Global Privacy Control and Similar Signals

Where required by applicable law, the Site will recognize Global Privacy Control (“GPC”) signals or other legally recognized browser-based opt-out signals.

Users may also be able to manage analytics and cookie preferences through the Site’s cookie settings.

15. Children’s Privacy

The Site is intended for general informational purposes and is not designed primarily to collect personal information from children.

Where applicable law requires parental or guardian consent for a child to provide personal information, such consent must be obtained before submitting the information.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child without legally required consent, we will take appropriate action in accordance with applicable law.

16. Information Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to reduce the risk of:

• unauthorized access;
• loss;
• alteration;
• disclosure; and
• misuse of personal information or personal data.

However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

17. External Websites and Services

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, data services, research institutions, public agencies, and other external services.

Those external services are governed by their own privacy policies and terms, not by this Privacy Policy.

18. Automated Decision-Making

As a general rule, the Site does not use solely automated processing of personal data to make decisions that produce legal effects or similarly significant effects concerning users.

If this practice changes, we will provide any information required by applicable law.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy in response to changes in:

• applicable laws;
• services used by the Site;
• Site functionality; or
• our data processing practices.

Where required by applicable law, material changes will be communicated through the Site or by another appropriate method.

Unless otherwise required by law, the revised Privacy Policy will apply from the date it is published on this page.

20. Language

This Privacy Policy may be made available in Japanese, English, and other languages.

Each language version is intended to reflect substantially the same content.

Unless mandatory law requires otherwise, if there is any inconsistency between language versions, the Japanese version shall prevail.

21. Contact

For questions concerning personal information, personal data, this Privacy Policy, cookie preferences, or the exercise of privacy rights, please contact us through:

Website: climatecontour

Contact:

Effective date: October 6, 2026
Last updated: October 6, 2026